State Roundup, May 2, 2018

MERRIWEATHER GROUNBREAKING: They’ve been talking about building a dense urban center for Howard County in Columbia for only about 54 years now. Monday that promise came one big step closer as Gov. Larry Hogan joined local officials and corporate executive for the splashy groundbreaking of the first mixed-use project in the new Merriweather District. It will be anchored by cybersecurity firm Tenable in 12-story office building along with apartment buildings and ground level retail. Photo by MarylandReporter.com

OAKS BALLOT ISSUE IN COURT: Maryland’s highest court will hear arguments today on whether next month’s primary election ballot should include the name of former Sen. Nathaniel Oaks, the Baltimore Democrat who resigned his seat on the same day in March that he pleaded guilty to federal corruption charges. Due to a quirk in the timing of his guilty plea, Oaks’ name was set to remain on the June 26 Democratic primary election ballot, writes Ian Duncan for the Sun.

DELEGATE HOPEFUL TOUTS BIG ENDORSEMENTS: Peter E. Perini, Sr., a Democrat running for state delegate in Hagerstown’s District 2B, announced four high-profile Maryland Democratic endorsements within the last week. Former Gov. Martin O’Malley, U.S. Sens. Ben Cardin and Chris Van Hollen and outgoing Rep. John Delaney are throwing their support behind Perini’s bid to recapture District 2B from Republican control. Perini announced the four endorsements on his campaign Facebook page, blogs Ryan Miner in his A Miner Detail blog.